Financial Aid Systems & Data Manager

Colorado Mesa; Grand Junction (CO); On-site; USD 54,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Colorado Mesa University is seeking a Financial Aid Systems & Data Manager to develop, maintain, and optimize systems, data, reporting, automation, and technology solutions for the Financial Aid Office.

This role reports to the Director of Financial Aid and collaborates with IT and campus stakeholders to translate business needs into practical technical solutions, improve processes, and resolve complex system and data issues.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with databases, SQL, reporting tools, enterprise systems, and troubleshooting systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot SQL queries, reports, scripts, and other technical solutions supporting Financial Aid operations.

Skills

SQL & databases

Data analysis

Reporting tools

Enterprise systems

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Banner

COGNOS

JavaScript

Job description

ANNOUNCMENT OF POSITION VACANCY

FLSA Status: United States of America (Exempt) Compensation: $54,000 - $58,000 Commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package: Click here for more information!

SECTION I - OUR VALUES

CULTIVATE OUR VISION AND CULTURE At CMU, we believe in acting from a foundation of goodwill. This belief gives us the courage to form meaningful relationships, embark on joint endeavors and take risks in the pursuit of new possibilities. It’s this courage that enables the Mavily to explore new ways of thinking and doing, knowing that there is no perfect solution, no perfect idea. From this place of humility and courage, we’ve built a culture of resilience. We invest in the future by continuously adapting to change, overcoming challenges, and seizing new opportunities. We recognize that change is constant, and our resilience allows us to embrace it with confidence. Endless curiosity drives us to approach the unexpected as if it were expected, seeing opportunities for discovery and renewal in every challenge. In this community rooted in love and dignity, curiosity thrives, leading to endless opportunities for growth and advancement. Inspired by the soul of the West—the spirit that our region embodies—we emerge as a force for positive change, harnessing our collective power to build a Human Scale University that reflects our values and brings to life our shared vision of the world we aspire to create.

• Love - Extending oneself for nurturing the growth of self and others
• Dignity - Respecting the intrinsic value of each person and believing that others act from a foundation of goodwill
• Courage - Taking risks in the pursuit of new possibilities
• Humility - Suspending one’s ego and pride to recognize that no idea is perfect and being open to the input of others
• Resiliency - Investing in the future by adapting to changes, overcoming challenges and pursuing Opportunity
• Curiosity - Cultivating awe and exploring the unknown
• Power - The strength to act collaboratively with individual agency to achieve our goals

SECTION II – THE SEAT

At CMU, we look at every position as a seat. Every seat is vital and the individual in the seat contributes significantly to our mission of providing an affordable and accessible education and forming meaningful and mutually enriching partnerships that support the well‑being and vibrancy of our community. As a human centric organization, a priority is to ensure we have the “right seats” in our organization, and that the expectations, ownership and accountabilities are defined and communicated clearly for the success of the individuals holding the seats.

The Financial Aid Systems & Data Manager serves as a key technical and systems resource for the Financial Aid Office, responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing systems, data, reporting, automation, and technology solutions that support effective and compliant financial aid operations. Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, this hands‑on technical role partners with Financial Aid leadership, Information Technology, and campus stakeholders to translate business needs into practical technical solutions, improve processes and data quality, automate manual work, and resolve complex system and data issues. The successful candidate will bring demonstrated experience with databases, SQL, reporting tools, enterprise systems, and troubleshooting systems. Financial aid experience is preferred but not required; candidates with strong technical experience in systems, data, programming, reporting, or enterprise applications are encouraged to apply.

OVERVIEW AND ROLE SCOPE OF TEAM AND/OR TASKS

Key Tasks Include:

Systems, Data, and Technical Development Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot SQL queries, reports, scripts, and other technical solutions supporting Financial Aid operations. Analyze system and data issues, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions in collaboration with campus technology partners and vendors. Support the development, testing, implementation, and maintenance of automated processes and workflows.

Identify opportunities to reduce manual processes, improve data quality, and increase operational efficiency through technology and automation. Support data integrations and the flow of information between Financial Aid systems and other enterprise applications. Develop and maintain documentation for systems, processes, reports, queries, and technical solutions. Monitor system performance and data quality and proactively identify opportunities for improvement.

Financial Aid Systems Management

Manage and support the Financial Aid Office's use of enterprise and departmental systems, including Banner and other systems supporting document management, workflow, reporting, communication, and financial aid processing. Lead the administration of satisfactory academic progress processes, ensuring federal Title IV compliance. Serve as a key resource during system upgrades, patches, releases, and other technology changes.

Analyze the potential impact of system changes on financial aid processes and coordinate testing and implementation activities. Work collaboratively with Information Technology and other campus partners to resolve complex system issues. Ensure Financial Aid systems and processes are configured and maintained in alignment with institutional needs and applicable federal and regulatory requirements. Support the development and maintenance of technical processes associated with financial aid data loads, processing, records, and system interfaces.

Data, Reporting, and Analytics

Develop and maintain reports, queries, dashboards, and other data tools supporting Financial Aid operations and decision‑making. Analyze financial aid data to identify trends, discrepancies, operational risks, and opportunities for improvement. Support leadership with timely, accurate, and meaningful data and reporting. Ensure data accuracy, consistency, and integrity across Financial Aid systems and reports. Collaborate with campus partners to support institutional reporting and data needs. Use data analysis to evaluate processes and measure the impact of system and operational improvements.

Process Improvement and Automation

Promote a culture of continuous improvement through the use of technology, data, automation, and process redesign. Identify inefficient or manual processes and develop practical solutions to improve efficiency and accuracy. Lead and participate in projects involving system improvements, process redesign, automation, and technology implementation. Partner with Financial Aid leadership to prioritize and implement annual projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

Training, Collaboration, and Support

Serve as a liaison between Financial Aid staff, Information Technology, campus departments, and external vendors. Translate technical concepts and system changes into understandable information for functional users. Provide training and guidance to Financial Aid staff regarding system functionality, reports, processes, and technology changes. Develop documentation and training materials supporting system and process changes. Collaborate with campus partners to identify and resolve cross‑functional system and data issues. Contribute technical expertise to departmental and institutional projects and strategic initiatives.

Customer Service and Culture

Provide high‑level customer service by independently handling routine inquiries and resolving complaints. Counsel students, families, faculty, and staff on financial aid matters, ensuring clear communication and timely resolutions. Support CMU’s one‑stop services (IRIS) and participate in financial aid outreach to the community. Keep current on federal financial aid regulations and ensure compliance with all processes, including packaging, awarding, and disbursements.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Financial Aid Systems & Data Manager may supervise and mentor student workers, ensuring proper training, task management, and performance evaluations. As well as contributing to strategic departmental decisions and assisting in the development of policies and procedures.

Accountability to Results

The Manager of Financial Aid Systems is accountable for: Maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of the Financial Aid department’s systems. Timely resolution of system issues. Accuracy of data processing. Implementation of process improvements. Quality of customer service provided to students and other stakeholders.

Core Processes

Ensuring clarity and efficiency in our processes is key to the success of our team. The Manager of Financial Aid Systems owns and contributes to the following processes: Owned: Financial Aid Systems Management and Support Continuous Process Improvement Initiatives Contributor: Federal Processing Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER - This position description is only a summary of the typical functions of this seat, and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and areas of accountability.

SECTION III – OUR DESIRES FOR RIGHT FIT

At CMU, we seek individuals who are the "Right Fit" for the position. The "Right Fit" embraces our culture, demonstrates our values, and understands the requirements of the seat. We desire individuals who are passionate about their work, committed to contributing to a larger vision, and possess the capability to succeed as collaborative team members.

Capacity Requirements

Skills & Knowledge: Demonstrated experience developing and troubleshooting SQL queries. Experience working with relational databases and complex data sets. Demonstrated ability to analyze data, identify issues, and develop effective technical solutions. Experience developing reports, queries, dashboards, scripts, automated processes, or similar technical solutions. Ability to troubleshoot complex system, data, and integration issues. Understanding of enterprise applications and the interaction between systems, data, and business processes. Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and develop sustainable solutions. Ability to learn complex systems and business processes quickly. Collaboration & Communication: Excellent communication skills, capable of working with diverse campus departments, students, and external partners. Demonstrated ability to train and provide guidance to staff and stakeholders on financial aid systems and processes. Ability to deliver presentations and training materials to both internal and external audiences.

Essential Experience for Right Fit Education & Experience

An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required. Demonstrated professional experience in systems analysis, data management, database administration, business systems, software development, reporting, or a related technical field. Proven experience with process improvement in a technical or administrative context. Preferred: Previous experience in a higher education financial aid environment.

Core Skills

Strong analytical and data interpretation skills. Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively. Knowledge of legal and regulatory frameworks governing financial aid. Preferred: Experience with Banner or other enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Preferred: Experience with COGNOS or similar data analytics tools. Preferred: Familiarity with JavaScript and SQL.

DIRECT INQUIRIES CONTACT

Amber Hawkins, [e-mail]

Colorado Mesa University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students within higher education.

Colorado Mesa University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history. Applicant must be able to verify U.S. employment eligibility.

Colorado Mesa University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and student body. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact the CMU Human Resources Office by phone or email. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and the type of accommodation needed.

A comprehensive university in Grand Junction, Colorado Mesa University provides exceptional educational opportunities on a state‑of‑the‑art campus. As western Colorado’s largest university, CMU serves students on its main campus in Grand Junction, its satellite campus in Montrose, its technical college, CMU Tech, and via online offerings. Colorado Mesa University serves as the primary intellectual and cultural center of western Colorado and promotes the exchange of ideas that are of regional, national, and international importance. Founded in 1925, it is a dynamic university enrolling 10,000 students at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels. At the heart of the CMU experience is an integrative and experiential approach to higher education that encourages students to think differently and empowers them to challenge assumptions. CMU brings students together with expert scholars and thinkers from different disciplines to make connections between ideas and gain the skills to solve the unstructured, complex problems they will encounter in life. Our focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong liberal arts core that supports students’ interests and regional employment needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce demands. The Grand Valley is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the state of Colorado and you will not have to fight traffic and crowds to enjoy it. CMU is surrounded by the Grand Mesa, Book Cliffs, and the Colorado National Monument. We have world‑class mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, and a mountain resort that’s less than 45 minutes from campus for skiing, snowboarding, and cross‑country skiing. Living and working in Grand Junction, you will be able to explore one of Colorado’s best kept secrets.